2012/12: Offshore workers can be required to take annual leave during onshore field breaks (UK)
Offshore workers in the oil and gas industry brought an action claiming that, in not being allowed to take annual leave during periods when they were rostered for offshore work, they were being denied their entitlement to annual leave under the Working Time Regulations 1998 (the “WTR”). The WTR implement the Working Time Directive 93/104/EC (now consolidated as Directive 2003/88/EC, the “WTD”). The Supreme Court rejected the employees’ argument and held that onshore field breaks could be used for statutory holiday entitlement. It also refused a request for a reference to the ECJ for a decision on the meaning of “annual leave” under the WTD.
UK Supreme Court, 2011-12-07